What should you know about HFMD itchy feet?

HFMD often causes small tender or itchy lesions on the soles, sometimes with mouth sores, fever or hand lesions. Athlete's Foot more often affects the spaces between toes with scaling, peeling or cracking. Dyshidrotic Eczema can cause intensely itchy, deep-seated tiny blisters on the sides of the toes or soles. Contact Dermatitis may follow new shoes, socks, detergent or foot products and can produce redness, burning or itch. The timing, both-foot pattern and other symptoms help with assessment.

Keep feet cool and dry, change damp socks, and choose breathable footwear. Wash gently and pat dry, especially between toes. Avoid scratching, fragranced products and sharing shoes or towels. Do not apply steroid or antifungal cream simply because the skin is itchy; the wrong treatment can obscure the pattern. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether Topical Antifungal Treatment fits the findings.

Book an assessment if itch is severe, the diagnosis is uncertain, the rash keeps returning, or cracks become painful. Seek prompt help for rapidly increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or red streaks. Urgent care is needed for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, widespread blistering, or skin peeling.

Ask whether the lesions fit HFMD, Athlete's Foot or Dyshidrotic Eczema; whether a product or shoe could be responsible; and what signs should prompt review.